Loading machine



-5 Sheets-Sheet l Filed may 29, 1921-@ i mais Aug.6,1946. G.'E .OTS-2,405,114

-LoADING MACHINE l Filed May 29', 1944' s sheets-sheet 2 uff MMM@ W y G.E. CoA-rs 2,405,114 LOADING MACHINE Filed May 29, 1944 3 Sheets-Sheet 3Aug. 6, 1946.

Ewen/for z'lbez' 56061159 Patented Aug. 6, 1946 UNITED STATES PATENTOFFICE 7 Claims.

This invention relates generally to loading machines and in particularto a machine for picking up and stacking or loading hay, manure and likematerial.

An object of this invention is to provide an irnproved tractor-loadingmachine.

A further object of this invention is to provide a loading machine whichis capable'of being easily and quickly mounted on different types offarm tractors and operated from the usual tractor power take-off.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a tractor-mountedloading machine in which the load is supported on extensible pivotedmembers and elevated by overhead lifting means in a substantiallyupright direction so that practically all of the available lifting forceis ehiciently applied to lifting the load.

A still further obj ect of this invention is to provide atractor-mounted loading machine which is of a unit construction andreadily removed from and assembled on the tractor` so as to appreciablydecrease the over-all time for a loading operation and in turn increasethe availability of the tractor for other farming operations.

Another object of this invention is to provide a tractor-mounted loadingmachine which is of a light weight and compactly assembled on thetractor so as not to interfere with the operators visibility whereby thenormal operating economy and ease of handling of the tractor ismaintained during its use for loading purposes.

A feature of this invention is found in the provision of atractor-mounted loading machine in which a pair of extensible liftingarms are positioned at opposite sides of the tractor and pivoted attheir rear ends for pivotal up and down movement. A load-carrying meansis mounted between the forward ends of the arms and is movable upwardlyin guiding engagement with an upright frame positioned between theforward ends of the arms. To accommodate the machine to different sizeand type tractors means are provided for adjusting the upwardinclination of the uprights and the position of the load-carrying meansin a substantially horizontal plane at its lowermost position of travel.

A further feature of this invention is found in the provision of atractor-mounted loading machine in which a pair of elongated arms havingeXtensible front portions are positioned at opposite sides of thetractor and pvoted adjacent their rear ends for up and down pivotalmovement. Uprights are supported on the tractor between the arms andrearwardly of a load-carrying means supported between the extensiblefront portions of the arms. These front portions are connected with aflexible lifting means depended from the uprights and on lifting O f theflexible means the front portions are extended to provide for an upwardtravel of the load-carrying means adjacent to the uprights,

Yet another feature of this invention is found in the provision of atractor-mounted loading machine in whicha load-carrying means ispivotally supported between the free ends of pivoted and liftableelongated members and provided with an upwardly and rearwardly projectedlug member. A latch member is pivotally supported on and between theliftable members for movement into and out of locking engagement withthe lug member, with the latch and lug members constituting the entiretrip mechanism for the loadcarrying means. The latch member is manuallyactuated through lever means and a pull cord which is extendedrearwardly of the tractor and within easy reach of the tractor operator.

Further objects, features and advantages of this invention will becomeapparent from the following description when taken in connection withthe accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. l is an elevational View of the loading machine of this inventionshown with a manure fork and mounted on a tractor of usual type;

Fig. 2 is a front elevational sectional View of the machine as seenalong the line 2-2 in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the lower pivoted frame of the loading machineremoved from the tractor;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view on the line 4 4 in Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view on the line 5-5 in Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary plan view of the trip mechanism for the manurefork;

Fig. '7 is a sectional view as seen along the line 1 1 in Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of an adjustable member used in the tripmechanism;

Fig. 9 is a perspective View of an actuating rod used in the tripmechanism;

Fig. l0 is an enlarged detail view of the clutch and brake mechanism forthe loading machine as seen along the line Ill-I U in Fig. 1;

Fig. 1l is an elevational sectional view of the clutch and brakemechanism as seen along the line I l-l I in Fig. 10;

Fig. 12 is an elevational View of the loading machine, illustratedsimilarly to Fig. l, showing the machine in changed position and with abuck rake;

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary plan view of the trip mechanism for the buckrake;

Fig. 14 is a sectional view taken along the line I4-I4 of Fig. 13; and

Fig. 15 is a rear plan perspective view of the hay buck illustrated withthe loading machine in Fig. 12.

With reference to the drawings the loading machine of this invention isillustrated in Fig. 1 mounted on a farm tractor of a usual type having abody frame or chassis 2l), rear wheels i6 and front steering wheels I1.The steering mechanism for the wheels i1 includes steering arms I8connected with a steering rod i3 through a gear box 2l, the steering rodI9 being extended toward the rear of the tractor and provided with asuitable steering wheel (not shown) at its rear end. A usual powertake-off, indicated at 22, is mounted forwardly of the rear wheels.

The loading machine includes a lower pivoted frame. comprised of asubstantially U-shaped member 23 having its legs 24 positioned atopposite sides of the tractor frame 2B (Figs. 1 and 3). The U member 23is of a tubular construction and has its base portion rotatablysupported in bearings 21 which are carried on an inverted channel member28 suspended from a supporting structure located at the rear end of thetractor. The supporting structure is comprised of a pair of anglemembers 29 depended from each side of the tractor frame 2U and connectedtogether at their lower ends by an angle member 3i, the channel member28 being connected to and extended between the angle members Si.

Each bearing 21 is of a two piece construction with the mating halvessecured together at one end and to the channel member 23 by a nut andbolt assembly 33 and at their opposite ends by lock nuts 34 threaded ona brace rod 3B, which will be explained later (Fig. 4) By virtue of thepivotal support of the U member 23, it is apparent from a considerationof Figs. 1 and 3 that the leg members 24 are pivotally movable up anddown at opposite sides of the tractor frame.

The leg members 24 arey in telescoping arrangement with tubular sleeve,members 31 and 31a which aremovable to adjusted positions relative tothe forward end of a corresponding leg member 24 (Fig. 5). The movementof a sleeve member 31 and 31av in a direction rearwardly of the legmembers 24 is denedby a stop pin 38 which is receivable in alignedopenings- 39 formed in a spaced relationv axially of a leg member 24. Itis thus seen that the sleeve members 31 and 31a are freely slidablymovable relative to a corresponding leg member 24 in a forward directionwhile their movement in a rearward direction is limited by theirengagement with the pins 38 for a purpose which will becomeA apparentlater on. The forward ends 39a of the sleeve members 31 and 31a are bentfiat, as clearly appears in Fig. 3, with each forward end having a boltor shaft 4| mounted therein. A load-carrying means 42, illustrated as amanure fork, in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, is pivotally supported on the pins 4|between the forward ends of the sleeve members 31 and 31a.

With reference to Figs. 3 and 6 it is seen that the forward ends of thesleeve members 31 and 31a are connected together by means including atubular transverse beam 43 the opposite ends of which are flattened andthen welded to the underside of corresponding members 31 and 31a. Asecond transverse supporting member 44 of angle iron construction isinverted and extended between the forward ends of the sleeve members 31and 31a forwardly of the tubular beam 43, and is welded at each end tothe upper sides of the sleeve members 31 and 31a. Supported on thetransverse angle member dit, and substantially intermediate its ends isan adjustable member 45 which is movable to adjusted positions laterallyof the transverse angle member 44.

As shown in Fig. 8 the adjustable member "55 is of a substantiallychannel-shaped construction having ilanges 41 projected outwardly fromthe free end of each of its legs. Each flange 41 is formed with anelongated slot i5 which slots are adapted for alignment withcorresponding elongated slots lil provided in the transverse anglemember 45. Bolts 5l are receivable within a corresponding pair ofaligned slots and with the adjustment of the member 45 beingaccomplished by manipulation of the bolts 5! in a usual manner.

Pivotally supported at one end on the leg 52 of the adjustment member36, and located within the member is an elongated latch member 53, whichextends upwardly and outwardly from the member into an engaging positionwith a lug or catch member 54 secured to the upper rear end of a manurefork 62. The latch 53 and the catch 54 are shown in a closed position inFigs. 6 and 7. The release or trip mechanism for the latch 53 includesan actuating rod 56 (Figs. 6 and 9) having a rocker arm 51 carried atone end thereof with the arm 51 being of a bifurcated construction atits free end 53. A lever 59 is mounted, intermediate its ends, at theopposite end of the rod 56.

The rod 56 adjacent the crank arm 51 is rotatably supported in anelongated slot 6! provided in an extension of the leg 62 of theadjustment member 45, with the arm 51 being located between the legs 52and 62 of the member 46. The bifurcated portion 58 on the arm 51 isslidably received on a pin 63 carried on the latch 53. The rod 5Eextends longitudinally of the cross member 36 and is rotatably supportedadjacent the lever 59 in a member 50 which is adjustably supported onthe angle member 44 in all respects similar to the adjustment member 46.In the assembly of the trip mechanism the rod 55 with the rock arm 51thereon, is extended through the adjustment members 45 and 6U prior tothe mounting of the lever 59 on the rod 56. The end 10 of the lever 53is pivoted to one end of an actuating rod 15, the other end of which ispivoted to the free end of a lever 8E), which is pivoted at adjacent therear end of the sleeve 31. A pull cord or cable Sil is connected to thefree end of the lever Sil and extends toward the rear of the tractor toa position where it can be manipulated by the tractor operator.

As shown in Figs. 6 and 7 the latch 53 and catch 54 are in lockedposition which is retained by the action of a, spring 65 connected atone end to the end of the lever 59, and ait its other end to a guideplate 93 which is carried on the sleeve member 31 and which will belater described. On pulling rearwardly on the cord 93, or to the left asshown in Fig. l, and against the pressure of the spring 65, the levers8U and 553 are pivoted in counter-clockwise direction, as also viewed inFig. l, to in turn rotate the rock arm 51 in a counter-clockwisedirection, as also viewed in Fig. 1,to in turn rotate the rock arm 51 ina counter-clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 7. During this rotationof the arm 51 the pin. 63, on the latch 53, is slidably engaged andmoved by the bifurcated end 58 of the rock arm 51, to in turn move thelatch 53 out of an engaging position with the lug 54, thus releasing themanure fork 42. After the fork 42 is dumped the lug 54 on the fork isreturned to a locking position with the latch 53 by a spring 66connected at one end to a top member 51 of an upright frame 68, and atits opposite or lower end to a cable 69 which in turn is connedted tothe manure fork 42 at 1| (Figs. 2 and 3).

The cable 69 is associated for travel about the under side of a pulley12 which is rotatably supported in a bracket 13 carried on thetransverse tubular member 44. On dumping of the fork 42 the spring 66 isextended by the weight on the fork, whereby its pressure is increased,and when the fork is emptied this spring pressure is suiiicient to pivotthe fork upwardly into locking position with the latch 53. It is seen,therefore, that the dumping of the fork 42 is manually controlledthrough the pull cord 90 while its return to a latching position isaccomplished automatically b=y the action of the spring 66 and the cable69.

The upright frame 68, previously mentioned, includes a pair of tubularupright members 14. The topmember 61, to which the spring 66 isconnected, constitutes the connecting or base member of a U-shapedtubular member having legs 82 each of which is adapted for telescopicassembly within fthe upper end of a corresponding upright 14 (Figs. 1and 2). Each leg 82 is formed with a plurality of axially spacedoppositely aligned openings 83 for receiving a stop pin 84, whereby theU-shaped member is adjustably movable upwardly from the top ends of theuprights 14 and then held in an adjusted position by the bearingengagement of the pins 84 with the top of the uprights 14. By virtue ofthis vertical adjustment of the legs 82 the upright frame is extendibleover a wide range to provide for a desired elevation of the fork 42.

The uprights 14 carry oppositely arranged supporting brackets 16 ontheir inner sides and adjacent their lower ends. The brackets 16 are ofa channel iron construction and are welded to corresponding uprights 14.Each bracket 16 is pivotally supported at 11 to one end of a transversebeam member 18 which is secured to the forward ends of longitudinallyextended members 19, the rear ends of which are connected by bolts 8| tothe forward end of the tractor frame 20 so that the uprights 14 arepivotally movable together in a plane longitudinally of the tractorabout their respective pivots 11.

Retention of the upright frame 68 in an adjusted position isaccomplished by means including a second upright frame 86 locatedrearwardly of the upright frame 68 and comprised of a pair of uprights81 and 81a, of an angle iron construction, secured at their lower endsto the longitudinally extending beams 19 and suitably supported in anupright position by brace members 88. A U-shaped clamp 89 is pivoted ona clamping bolt 9| art the top of each upright 81 and 81a.. Extendedthrough each clamp 89 is an adjustable rod 92 which has its upper end,as viewed in Figs. l and 2, pivotally connected at 93 to the top member61 of the upright frame 68. On loosening of the clamping bolt 9| anadjustable rod 92 is slidably movable within a clamp 89 to provide for afree pivotal movement of the upright frame 68 to a desired position.This position is retained by merely tightening the clamp- 6 ing bolts 9|in a manner which is believed to be obvious.

In the description of the lower frame unit, shown in Fig. 3, it wasmentioned that the sleeve members 31 and 31a were pivotally movable inan up and down direction at opposite sides of the tractor frame 20. Themembers 31 and 31a during this pivotal movement, are guided for movementin a substantially upright direction by the tubular uprights 14 which,as shown in Fig 2, are positioned adjacent the sleeve members 31 and 31aand in a contacting relation therewith.

As best shown in Fig. 1 the lower ends of the uprights 14 aresubstantially at the level of the axle for the front tractor wheels I1so that they adequately clear the ground when the tractor is travellingover a rough ground surface. However, when the fork 42 is in its loadingposition, shown in Fig. l, the sleeve members 31 and 31a are below thelevel of the lower ends of the uprights 14. In order to secure a travelof the sleeve members 31 and 31a in a guiding relation with respect tothe uprights 14 each sleeve member carries an upwardly projecting guideplate 93 adjacent its forward end and at a Dosition opposite acorresponding upright 14.

The pivotal movement of the lower frame of the loading machine, and inturn an elevating of the fork 42, is accomplished by means including acable 94 having one end connected to a yoke 96 which is pivoted at theupper ends of spaced brackets 98, the lower ends of which are suitablysecured, as by welding, to the transverse tubular beam 43 extendedbetween the sleeve members 31 and 31a (Figs. 1, 2 and 3). From the yoke96 the cable extends upwardly and over a pulley 99 rotatably supportedbetween spaced plate members IOI projected forwardly of and welded tothe top member 61 of the upright frame 68. From the pulley 99 the cable94 travels downwardly and about a pulley |02 rotatably supported betweenthe brackets 98 and then upwardly and about a pulley |04 rotatablysupported between the plate members IOI rearwardly of the pulley 99.From the pulley |04 the cable 94 travels to a winding drum |06 mountedon a driven shaft |01 rotatably supported in bearings |08 carried on theuprights 81 and 81a of the frame 86 (Figs. 1, 2 and 10).

Also mounted on the shaft |01 is a sprocket |09 which is connected by asprocket chain I|0 to a sprocket |I| integrally formed on a sleevemember II3 which is freely rotatable on a driving shaft Il!! locatedbelow the shaft |01 and rotatably supported in bearings I I6 and II6asecured to the uprights 81 and 81a, respectively. Also integral with thesleeve member I I3 is a shell member II1 which constitutes one of theunits in a friction clutch mechanism indicated generally at I8. Theother clutch unit I|9 is of a conical shape, adapted to be received infrictional engagement within the shell I|1, and mounted on the drivingshaft II4. By moving the clutch unit II1 axially of the shaft |I4 intoand out of frictional engagement with the clutch unit I I9 power istransmitted from the shaft ||4 to the shaft |01 through the sprocket andchain assembly |09-I I l.

This movement of the clutch unit |I1 relative to the cone clutch unit||9 is accomplished by a clutch lever |21 integrally7 formed with a hubportion |22 which is rotatable on the driving shaft |I4. The hub |22 isformed with a cam surface |23 for operative association with acorresponding cam surface |24 formed on the inner side-of the bearingmember H6. As best shown in Fig. the bearing member H3, hub |22 andsleeve member I|3 are in a stacked relation on the driving shaft H4.Thus on pivotal movement of the clutch lever |2| in a directionrearwardly of the tractor, or toward the left, as viewed in Fig. 11, thesliding engagement of the cam surfaces |23 and |24 moves the hub |22 andsleeve ||3 toward the right, as viewed in Fig. 10, to in turn move theshell H1 axially on the shaft ||4 into frictional engagement with thecone H9. Since the cone ||9 continuously rotates` with the driving shaftH4 this frictional engagement of the units i1 and H3 connects the shaft|01 with the shaft i4 through the sprocket and chain assembly IUS-Hi.carries a pulley |26 which is connected through a belt |21 with thepower take-oir 22 (Fig. l)

The connection and disconnection of the shafts |01 and ||4, and theretention of the fork 42 at any elevated position, is controlledentirely by the manipulation of the clutch lever l2! in a manner now tobe described. With reference to Figs. 10l and 1l the lever |2| is shownwith its upper or free end pivoted to an actuating rod f |28 whichextends toward the rear of the tractor and to a position convenientlyaccessible to the tractor operator. Pivoted at one end to the lever |2|,and substantially intermediate the ends of the lever |2|, is a link |29vthe opposite end of which is pivoted at |3| to a bell crank |32 cf anangulate shape.

The bell crank arm |33, to which the link |253 is pivoted, is of asubstantially 'L -shape having a shaft portion |34 extended laterallyfrom the free endk of its short leg. Shaft l34 is rotatably supported ina bearing 36 mounted on an angle iron member i 31 extended between theframe members "59 andbel'ow the uprights 81 and 81a. The other leg |33of the bell crank |32 is extended forwardly from the shaft portion |34and then laterally parallel to and away from the shaft portion |34. Abrake band |39 is positioned about the upper half of the clutch unit l 1and has one A end 34| pivoted to the free end of the arm |33 and anopposite end |42 pivoted on a bolt |43 secured to the angle member |31.

The brake |38 is normally held in irictional engagement with the clutchunit ||1 by a spring |144 connected at one end to the upright 81 and atits opposite end to the -free end of the bell crank arm |33. Onactuation of the clutch lever |2| in a direction toward the rear of thetractor, or in a counter-clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 1:1, thebell crank |32 is moved in a counterclockwise direction by the link |29,to in turn move the brake band |39 upwardly at its end |4|, Thismovement of the brake band |33 releases its frictional engagement withthe Clutch unit ||1. With the clutch unit ||1 thus released, the fork 42is free to move downwardly from any elevated position due to the actionof gravity. On a continued movement of the clutch lever |2| in acounter-clockwise direction the cam surfaces |23 and |24 are relativelymoved a distance sufficient to frictionally engage the clutch unit i1with the clutch unit H3 in the manner above fully described..

When the clutch lever |2| is released the brake band |39 is immediatelymoved into braking position with the clutch unit |1 by the action of thespring |44-, It is thus seen that the elevating of the fork 42, itsretention in an elevated position, and its release for fallingdownwardly to the 8 ground is controlled entirely by the actuation ofthe clutch lever IZI.

In the assembly of the loading machine of this invention on a tractorthe sleeve members 31 and 31d are initially adjusted to an extendedposition relative to the forward ends of the leg members 24 until thetransverse tubular beam 43 is located forwardly of the uprights 14. Whenthis adjustment of the sleeve members 31 and 31a has been determined thepins 33 are inserted in the leg members to limit the rearward movementof the transverse member 43 such that it is always located forwardly ofthe uprights 14 when the sleeve members and 31a are in a fully retractedposition, it being understood that the retracted position the members 31and 31a is dened by their engagement with the pins 38. By virtue of thisadjustment the lower frame is readily applicable to tractors ofdifferent type regardless of their length and the location on thetractor frame of the pivot for the lower frame, which includes themembers 31' and 31a. With the sleeve members 31 and 3156i thus adjustedthe manure fork /52 is pivotally adjusted on its pivots 4| until thefingers E455 thereof are located in a substantially horizontal as shownin Fig. 1, This adjustment of the fork 42 is accomplished by adjustthemembers 4.55 and relative to the transverse angle beam to in turn varythe position of locking engagement between the latch 53 and the latchWith the fork 4?. thus positioned the tractor is advanced forwardly forloading the fork On the application of a pressure on the manure fork4?.. in a direction toward the rear or the tractor the movement of thesleeve members 3? and Ela rearwardly of the leg members and in turn themovement of the beam memer toward the uprights 14, will be limited bythe stop pins 3|?.

On raising of the fork F52, by manipulation of the clutch lever i 2i inthe manner fully explained above, the uprights 14 are in contactingengagement with the sleeve members 31 and 31a. As the fork 42 iselevated the sleeve members 31 and 31a are progressively extendedforwardly of the leg members When the fork 42 has been elevated to adesired position it is dumped by actuating the lever 8! for the latchrelease mechanism, and then returned to a loading position by the actionor the spring 66, On lowering of the fork 42 it may drop to the groundin a position considerably ahead of the upright frame Eil, in otherwords at a position in which the rear ends of the sleeve members 31 and31a are forwardly of the stop pins 33. However, on movement of thetractor forwardly to again load the fork 42 the sleeve members 31 and31a. are initially moved against the stop pins 33 to provide for anormal loadintf position. of the fork 42 adjacent the uprights 14.

As a result the fork is always adjacent the upright frame et when it isinitially raised whereby to decrease the tendency of the tractor rearwheels l5 being lifted from the ground during a raisinsT operationlFurther the fork is substantially below the cable support EEN so that adirect lifting force is applied on the fork. The pressure actingrearwardly on the sleeve members 31 and 31a and legs 24 during a loadingand lifting operation of the fork is applied on the brace rods 33 whichare connected at one end to the bearing straps 21 and at their oppositeends to the tractor frame 2|?.

When the fork 42 i5 elevated it follows an upward path determined inpart by the inclination of the upright frame 68 relative to a verticalplane extended transversely of the tractor. As the fork 42, therefore,is elevated it will be moved up- Wardly concurrently with an extensionof the sleeve members 31 and 31a. This extension of the sleeve members31 and 31a is the result initially of the load-carrying means 42 tendingto assume a position vertically below the support for the cable 94.However, as the load-carrying means approaches its uppermost position aslidable engagement may occur between the tubular cross beam 43 and thefro-nt sides of the uprights 14. When this slidable engagement takesplace, therefore, the extension of the members 31 and 31a is primarilythe result of the slidable engagement between the member 43 and theuprights 14,

Under some conditions of operation the slidable engagement between thecross beams 43 and the uprights 14 may approach proportions such that anexcessive side pressure is applied against the upright frame 68 as wellas an increase in the force required to raise the fork 42, due to theresultant frictional pressure between the cross beam 43 and the uprights14. To reduce this fiictional pressure as much as possible, when theloadcarrying means 42 approaches its uppermost position, the uprightframe 68 is adjustable in a direction rearwardly of the tractor so as topermit a greater travel upwardly of the load-carrying means 42 beforeany appreciable contact takes place between the cross beam 43 and theuprights 14.

When the tractor with the loading machine thereon is to be moved fromfarm to farm or over the highways the upright frame 68 is inclined to amaximum position toward the rear of the tractor so as to appreciablydecrease its over-all height. The fork 42 is then elevated to a positionabove the tractor frame 20 so as to have suicient clearance with theground. By virtue of the location 0f the clutch and lifting mechanismsubstantially ahead of the tractor, and with the upright frames 68 and86 being of an open construction adequate visibility is provided to thetractor operator, and the upright frame 68 is lowered enough to freelyclear any of the usual overhead obstructions such as telephone andelectric wire lines.

With reference to Fig. l2 the loading machine of this invention is shownwith a hay buck indicated generally at |56. Except for the hay buck theloading machine is the same in all respects as previously described sothat similar numerals of reference will be used to. designate like partsin Figs. l2, 13 and 14.

With reference to Fig. l the hay buck |50 includes a frame comprised ofa rear cross member |5| of a tubular construction having substantiallyinverted U-shaped straps |52, illustrated as eight in number, supportedon the beam |5| in an axially spaced relation. The legs of each strap|52 below the beam |5| are connected together by a brace plate |55Secured to the bottoms of the forward legs of the straps |52 andsubstantially coextensive in length with the rear cross member |5| is awooden beam |53. Connected to the bottoms of the rear legs of each outerpair of straps |52 is a wooden beam |54, and connected to the bottoms ofthe rear legs of the four center straps |52 is a wooden beam |56 so thatspaces |51 are formed at the back end of the hay buck |50 be- .tweenadjacent ends of the beams |54 and |56.

The tines or prongs |58 of the hay buck are attached to the bottom sidesof the wooden beams |53, |54 and |56. A wooden side guide |59 issupported at each end of the rear beam |5| in an angle member |6| weldedto the beam 5|.

The back of the hay buck includes upright angle members |62 welded tothe rear leg of each strap |52. Back boards |60 are secured to theuprights |62 in a vertically spaced relation above the rear cross beam|5|. Secured to the top of the beam |56 and to the four center straps|52 is an angle brace |63.

Welded between the rear legs of the inner pair of the four center straps|52 is an inverted channel member |64, to the top of which is Welded alug or catch member |66 (Figs. 14 and l5). Brace bars |61 for the catchmember |66 are welded to the catch and to the inner pair of the fourcenter straps |52. La-terally extended from each rear leg of the outerones of the four center straps is an angle iron support |68 for anadjusting bolt |69. Each of such outer straps also has a spacer plate 1|welded to a corresponding brace plate |55, with an opening |12 beingformed through a corresponding spacer plate |1| and brace plate |55 fora purpose now to be described.

In the assembly of the hay buck on the loading machine, and assuming themanure fork 42 removed from the loading machine, the forward ends 39a ofthe sleeve members 31 and 31a are moved within the spaces |51 topositions adjacent the spacer plates |1|. A bolt 4| is then extendedthrough the end 39a of a sleeve member and through an opening |12 in acorresponding spacer plate |1| and brace plate |55. With the hay buckthus pivotally supported on the sleeve members 31 and 31a its upwardpivotal movement is limited by the adjustment of the bolts |69. Thesebolts are in an engaging position with ledge portions or plates |13Welded to the tops of the sleeve members rearwardly from their forwardends. It is thus seen that the engagement ,of the bolts |69 with theplates |13 prevent the front end of the tines |58 from tilting upwardlywhen the hay buck is being loaded. On completion of this adjustment thelatch 53 is moved into an engaging position with the lug member or catch|66 by adjustment of the members 46 and 60, in all respects similar tothe adjustment of the latch 53 as described in connection with themanure fork 42 (Figs. 13 and 14).

The operation of the loading machine with the hay buck |50 is similar inall respects to its operation as described above in connection with themanure fork 42 so that a further description of such operation isbelieved to be unnecessary.

From a consideration of the above description it is seen that theinvention provides a loading machine which is comprised of relativelyfew parts adapted for -compact assembly on any type of tractor. Thesupport of a load-carrying means on extendible pivoted members 31 and31a provides for the load-carrying means always being in a position fordirect lifting by an overhead lifting means, and for travel upwardlyconcurrently with an extension of the extendible members. The uprightframe 38 on which the lifting means is supported is adjustably movableto inclined positions in a direction forwardly and rearwardly of thetractor so as to provide for the lifting cf the load-carrying means witha minimum of interference from the upright frame. As a result theextension of the extendible pivoted members 31 and 31u is substantiallyaccomplished entirely as a result of the lifting force applied at theirfree ends 39a.

Although the invention has been described with respect to a preferredembodiment thereof it is to be understood that it is not to be solimited since modifications and changes can be made l l therein whichare within the full intended scope of this invention as defined by theappended claims.

I claim:

1. A tractor-mounted loading machine comprising an upright framesupported on the tractor, telescoping members positioned at oppositesides of the tractor, means pivotally supporting said telescopingmembers adjacent their rear ends on said tractor for up and down pivotalmovement, with said upright frame being positioned between the frontends of said telescoping members and said front ends extendibleforwardly of said upright frame, load-carrying means mounted on saidfront ends forwardly of said upright frame, flexible load-lifting meanssupported fro-m said upright frame and operatively connected with saidfront ends to raise said load-carrying means, means for raising andlowering said lifting means, and a frame member connected between saidfront ends adapted to contact the forward side of said upright frame, onupward pivotal movement of said telescoping members, to provide for theextension of said front ends as said telescoping members are elevated.

A loading machine adapted to be mounted on a tractor frame .comprisingan upright frame supported on the front end of said tractor frame, apivoted lower frame of substantially U-shape having the legs thereofarranged at opposite sides of said frame, and the leg-connecting portionextended transversely of the tractor frame and below the rear endportion thereof, means suspended from said tractor frame for pivotallysupporting said leg-connecting portion to provide i'or a pivotal up anddown movement of said legs, a load-carrying means mounted on the freeends of said legs forwardly of said upright frame, and flexible liftingmeans depended from adjacent the top of said upright frame andoperatively connected with said legs to lower and raise saidload-carrying means.

3. In a tractor mounted loading machine, a pair of pivoted members atopposite sides of said tractor, means pivoting said members adjacenttheir rear ends on said tractor for pivotal movement in an up and downdirection, means operatively connected with the forward ends of thepivoted members to raise and lower said forward ends, load-carryingmeans pivoted between the forward ends of said pivoted members, a lugmember projected rearwardly and upwardly from said load-carrying means,a latch member, means supported between said forward ends for adjustableup and down movement, means pivotally supporting said latch member onsaid adjustable means for pivotal movement into and out of releasabielocking engagement with said lug member, with adjustment of saidadjustable means providing for the adjustment of said load-carryingmeans relative to the ground surface, a pin member extended laterallyfrom said latch member, means for releasing said latch member includinga rock shaft extended transversely of said pivoted members, an armcarried adjacent one end of said rock shaft slidably engageable withsaid pin member, and a manually operated lever mounted on said rockshaft adjacent its opposite end.

4. A loading machine for mounting on a tractor comprising a pair oftelescoping frame units positioned at opposite sides of the tractor,means pivotally supporting said frame units at their rear ends on saidtractor for pivotal movement in an up and down direction, with the frontends of said frame units being extendible forwardly of said frame units,load-carrying means mounted on said front ends, a first upright framepivoted on said tractor between said frame units and rearwardly of saidload-carrying means, a second upright frame on said tractor rearwardlyof said rst upright frame, means pivotally supporting said first uprightframe for pivotal movement longitudinally of said frame units to anadjusted position, adjustable means connected between said first andsecond upright frames for supporting said first upright frame in anadjusted position, means on the front ends of said frame units forcontacting said first upright frame to guide the pivotal movement ofsaid frame units, and flexible lifting means depended from adjacent thetop of said rst upright frame and operatively connected with said frontends to raise and lower said load-carrying means, with said front endsbeing extended forwardly, as said load-carrying means is lifted, toprovide for the travel of said load-carrying means upwardly adjacentsaid first upright frame.

5. In a loading machine for mounting on a tractor frame, a U-shapedframe having the legs thereof positioned at opposite sides of thetractor frame and extended outwardly beyond one end 'lierecload-carrying means supported between the free ends of Said legs,bearing members suspended from said tractor frame for rotatablysupporting the leg-connecting portion of said U fra-me, means forpivoting said U frame to elevate said load-carrying means, and meansconnected between said bearings and said tracor frame to support saidbearings against the pressure applied thereon by a load on saidload-carrying means.

6. In a loading machine for mounting on a tractor, an upright framelocated at one end of said tractor comprising a pair of tubular uprightssupported on said tractor, an inverted substantially U-snaped memberhaving the legs thereof receivable within the top ends of said uprightsfor telescopic assembly therewith, means for holding said U-shapedmember in an extended position from the top ends of said uprights, and aflexible lifting means supported from the legconnecting portion of saidU member and operatively connected with a load-carrying means.

'7. In a loading machine, a buck rake including a rear cross member,means for lifting said buck rake, a plurality of inverted substantiallyU-shaped members suspended from said rear member and spacedlongitudinally thereof, a cross beam connected to the forward legs ofsaid U members, support members connected across certain of the rearlegs of said U members in a linearly spaced relation across the rear endof said buck rake, tines connected to said cross beam and supportmembers, a side guide connected to each end of said rear member, andmeans located at the central portion of said cross beam and inw cludinga pair of said U members for pivotally supporting said buck rakeadjacent its rear end on said lifting means.

GILBERT E. COATS.

